Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Monday, September 25, 2006

Faith

Better trust all and be deceiv’d,
And weep that trust, and that deceiving,
Than doubt one heart that, if believ’d,
Had blessed one’s life with true believing.

Oh, in this mocking world, too fast
The doubting fiend o’ertakes our youth!
Better be cheated to the last
Than lose the blessèd hope of truth.

Frances Anne Kemble (1809–93)


what balm to heal the wounds of others doing?

how does one earn that fresh page or that clean brush?

Friday, September 22, 2006

Autumnal Equinox

Happy Alban Elfed, Autumn Equinox, Autumnal Equinox, Cornucopia, Feast of Avilon, Festival of Dionysus, Harvest Home, Harvest Tide, Mabon, Night of the Hunter, Second Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest, Witch's Thanksgiving, first day of autumn, or whichever other seasonal name you prefer.

Neo-pagans use the name Mabon. Mabon was the son of Mordon, the Goddess of the earth (Welsh Mythology). Our family has always used the name Autumnal Equinox and used it as a time of Thanksgiving.

According to the Celtic cycle of the year, autumns’ equinox was the second harvest (first harvest festival = Lammas in August).

The Autumnal equinox signals the beginning of fall. It is the point where there are exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness (okay, technically only at the equator – humour me, okay?!). The daylight hours are decreasing and will continue to decrease until the Winter Solstice (in December), the shortest day of the year and the start of winter.

Here the leaves are beginning to turn and the nights are crisp (snuggle weather! as opposed to the it's "too f*ing hot" weather...)

Things I am thankful for: My family, my friends (those I know in real life and those I have yet to meet), my health and the health of those dear to me…


Today may we appreciate this food and remember those who are hungry.
May we appreciate our family and friends and remember those who are alone.
May we appreciate our health and remember those who are sick.
May we appreciate the freedoms we have and remember those who suffer injustice and tyranny.

To the friends who have become family
and the family who have become friends-


Peace on earth.

Namaste


If winter is slumber and spring is birth, and summer is life, then autumn rounds out to be reflection. It's a time of year when the leaves are down and the harvest is in and the perennials are gone. Mother Earth just closed up the drapes on another year and it's time to reflect on what's come before. (M. Burgess, Northern Exposure)

For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together.
For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad. (E. Teale)

Take advantage of the crisp air and the longer nights
Use this time as you see fit...
Look ahead, we will be there

Namaste

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

I'm going to try...

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
Bessie Stanley

not only am I going to try to succeed in this way...but I'm going to grab my eyepatch, swab the deck, take many a swig of grog, keelhaul landlubbers, and keep to the code!

Yarrrrr ya scurvy dogs ...'tis International Talk like a Pirate Day...shiver me timbers! It's the plank for you!

Avast and Ahoy!

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Thursday, September 14, 2006

BITCHOLOGY

BITCHOLOGY

When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a bitch.

When I stand up for those I love, they call me a bitch.

When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts or do things my own way, they call me a bitch.

Being a bitch means I won't compromise what's in my heart.
It means I live my life MY way.
It means I won't allow anyone to step on me.
When I refuse to tolerate injustice and speak against it, I am defined as a bitch.
The same thing happens when I take time for myself instead of being everyone's maid, or when I act a little selfish.
It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am and won't become anyone else's idea of what they think I "should" be.
I am outspoken, opinionated and determined.
I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that!
So try to stomp on me, try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me.
You won't succeed.

And if that makes me a bitch , so be it.
I embrace the title and am proud to bear it.

B - Babe
I - In
T - Total
C - Control of
H - Herself

B = Beautiful
I = Intelligent
T = Talented
C = Charming
H = Hell of a Woman

B = Beautiful
I = Individual
T = That
C = Can
H = Handle anything

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Come By the Hills

Come by the hills to the land
where fancy is free.
And stand where the peaks meet the sky
and the rocks reach the sea.
Where the rivers run clear and the bracken
is gold in the sun.
And cares of tomorrow must wait
till this day is done.

Come by the hills to the land
where life is a song
And sing while the birds fill the air
with their joy all day long.
Where the trees sway in time, and even
the wind sings in tune.
And cares of tomorrow must wait
till this day is done.

Come by the hills to the land
where legend remains
Where stories of old stir the heart
and may yet come again.
Where the past has been lost and the future
is still to be won.
And cares of tomorrow must wait
till this day is done.

Come by the hills to the land
where fancy is free.
And stand where the peaks meet the sky
and the rocks reach the sea.
Where the rivers run clear and the bracken
is gold in the sun.
And cares of tomorrow must wait
till this day is done.
And cares of tomorrow must wait
till this day is done.

Traditional Gaelic

...and those cares, they must wait their turn, for todays' sun is not yet set.
Namaste

Friday, September 08, 2006

Dear Blogger,

You "up-graded" my account to a Beta-Blogger.
Now I can't comment on anyone's blog because I'm beta and they're not.
This is not an improvement...
Thanks ever so much. <= was the sarcasm clear enough?? huh? was it?

signed,
a disgruntled blogger

Monday, September 04, 2006

the moors are calling...

Autumn is fast approaching...I love this time of year. I love absolutely everything about it.

Too many people think of this time of year in melancholy terms, the leaves dying, and everything ending, not me I see it as a beginning...I become alive, awake.
They used to tell me that this is because the veil is thin at this time of year...I don't know what it is, but I know I love it.

...the changing colours, the blustery winds, the blowing leaves, the first frost, and the smells. Nothing, nothing in this world smells as good as the autumn; a Vermont farm stand, the fragrant mix of apples, cider, pine trees, and crisp clear mountain air), frost, brisk mornings, and snow in the mountains - yes they all have a smell.
throw in a leaf burning fire, and the thrill of biting into a crisp sour Northern Spy or Spartan, and it's pure heaven.

There is something about the crisp autumn air, bonfires, fireplaces, and the comforting feeling of pulling on a snugly sweatshirt, or snuggling down into warm blankets that is exciting to me.

I love the mists that swirl in around now and will find almost any excuse to go out and walk in them - the thicker the better! I love losing my self in the stillness and mystery the mist brings with it...and let's face it pumpkins are just so pretty.

Traditionally, Samhain was the Celtic new year and to me this time of year really does signify the new year; not January 1.
the big changes happen now...we make all sorts of new years's resolutions in January and but nothing really changes from Dec 31 to the morning after...with the possible exception of the hang over.

It's autumn that signals change, new schools, new school years, university kids leaving home for the first time, new adventures, new harvests, new plans, life gears back up and yet quiets down...

There is a sense of excitement and anticipation, and it comes something other than visiting stationary stores and fondling new school supplies.

There is a growing quiet in the woods.

Alys (from MySpace, aka REEPT from Blather) said that she heard the geese calling early one morning and hearing that call made her want to go home...a feeling that she couldn't pinpoint or explain anymore than that.

I understand completely, although I doubt I can describe it any better.

In the autumn, When I'm standing alone in the woods, or in the mountains, or anywhere and I get a whiff of something in the air, a hint of an indescribable scent that triggers a feeling and need to be somewhere, to be home. I hear an inaudible voice summoning me to something somewhere and I sense an impulsive need to follow that call to meet whatever is beckoning.

Who knows, maybe someday I will...

Friday, September 01, 2006

Win, Lose, or Draw

A handful of patience is worth its weight in gold, but as the Latin Proverb says: If the wind will not serve, take to the oars.

The trick is to know when to start rowing; too soon and you do not leave the Universe room to play its hand, too late and you lose your chance.

Namaste